The former Manchester United boss is one of the prime movers who want to see the ruling - which has proved a success in rugby - brought in to punish players for on-field indiscretions.

Ferguson, chairman of a UEFA forum of elite coaches, is also hoping to see UEFA increase the number of substitutes to 11 in European finals - to recognise the contribution a squad plays in getting teams there.

"I chair a forum of elite coaches that meet every year and I'm a member of the technical study group of the Champions League and the European Championship," said Ferguson.

"So I'm still involved in football at the highest level. Right now we're looking at the possibility of introducing sin-bins like they have in rugby - a 10-minute suspension during the match.

"But we want to be careful that somehow it isn't exploited if it's introduced."

UEFA has already ruled that, from this season, yellow cards will be wiped out after the quarter-final stage in the Champions League and Europa League, to ensure players do not miss the final for accumulated bookings.

United duo Roy Keane and Paul Scholes were suspended from the Treble-clinching 1999 win over Bayern Munich, while Darren Fletcher misssed the 2009 defeat to Barcelona in Rome after being red-carded in United's semi-final win over Arsenal.

"We lost Darren Fletcher from the 2009 Champions League final against Barcelona and also missed Keane and Scholes for picking up cards in the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich," said Ferguson.

"Now, they'd all played in all the previous rounds, so it wasn't fair that they missed out. We're also looking at allowing 11 substitutes on the bench for big finals in Europe.

"That way you can recognise the contribution the squad's made and allow a wider range of substitutions."

Ferguson joked: "Mind you, it wouldn't work in the Premier League. Too many chairmen would moan about the increase in bonuses they'd need to pay!"